what does that highlited line mean
Sir Simon was a haughty, imperious and cruel nobleman who lived in Canterville Chase in the late sixteenth century. He killed his wife because she was plain looking, did not get his ruffs starched properly and was a poor cook. She had made a mess of the buck he had shot in Hogley Woods. Her brothers took revenge by starving him to death and he had been haunting Canterville Chase ever since.
'Ruffs' is a high, tight collar as was worn by noblemen. It had to be starched well to keep it stiff. Sir Simon had a complaint that his wife did not starch the collar properly.